Ballot-box



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 T P. DODGE. BALLOT BOX.

No. 255,951 Patented Apr. 4,1882. 7

17:2 will I 'i am a. 2269868 (k0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' T. F. DODGE.

BALLOT BOX.

No. 255,951. Patented Apr. 4,188Z.'

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS F..l)ODGE, OFLAWT ON, MICHIGAN.

BALLOT- BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,951, dated April 4, 1882.

(X0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TnoMAs F. DODGE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Lawton, in the county of Van Buren and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in BallotBoxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and toletters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in ballot-boxes, and especially in the registering apparatus therefor.

It consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the improved ballot-box. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation, the dial and dial-plate being removed. Fig. 3 represents a rear detail view of the dial-frame and the parts attached thereto. Fig. 4 represeats a longitudinal section. Fig. 5 represents a portion of the box in section, showing the bolt and spring which lock the operating-lever. Fig. 6 represents in detail the frame for the main registering-wheel, and the parts attached thereto. Fig. 7 represents a detail view of the slide or gate. Fig. 8 represents a detail View of one of the fastening-hooks for the dial-casing, and the proximate parts of said casing, and of a recessed partition with which said hook engages.

The same letters indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A designates the outer, and B the inner, box or casing of my improved ballot-box, said casings being nested together and constructed,v

preferably of wood, with glass sides which allow inspection of the ballots as they fall, and thereafter. The inner box or casing, B, is provided at the top with a ballot-hole, Z), and it has also a sliding bottom, B. Outer casing, A, is constructed with a ballot-hole, a, which is immediately above hallot-hole b, and with a sliding bottom, A, which is immediately under sliding bottom B. The front part of this casing A forms a chamber for the registering -each complete rotation of shaft F.

mechanism,said chamber being separated from the interior of the casing by a partition, A

0 designates a dial-frame, which is set into said chamber and forms the front of the ballot box. A lock, C, attached to the lower part of this dial-frame, serves to fasten it to the sliding bottom A, the boltof said lock being shot into a recessin the upper side of said bottom. Hooks c c are pivoted to the bottom of said dial-frame, preferably in recesses thereof, and extend inward through short slots or openings a a in thelowcr end of partition A By giving these hooks a slight lateral motion on their pivots they are caused to catch behind said partition. \Vhen those hooks are thus turned and the bolt of lock 0 is shot, as stated, the ballotbox is effectually locked.

The dial I) has a circular series of graduated marks and figures. over which a pointer, E, carried by a shaft, F, travels to indicate units, as the ballots are deposited, one by one. A hole, D, in said dial allows other figures to be exhibited through it to indicate hundreds. These last figures are carried by a ratchetwheel, G, which turns on a stud, 1, attached to the back of said dial, and receives forward rotary motion to the extent of one tooth for This motion is caused by the impact of the straight pallet of the verge against the inclined face of each tooth, so that the wheel I, Fig. 2, rotates, step by step, from left to right. Each rotation of said wheel I and its shaft causes a' rigid finger, f, carried by said shaft, to engage with the front or short face of one of the teeth on wheel G, thereby causing said wheel to turn on its axis the distance of one tooth in the reverse direction.

Pointer-shaft F is journalcd in the middle part of a frame or bracket, II, preferably made of metal, and consisting of two three-armed plates or bars, one of which is arched out from the other to leave room between them for the main registering ratchet-wheel I. The upper fastening-pin, ll, of said frame or bracket H constitutes the pivot-pin of a verge, J, which is arranged to engage said wheel I, and provided with an impulse-pallet,j, a detent-pallet, j, a rigid upwardly-extending arm, J, a short outwardly-extending round-end bar, J and a curved part, J, which terminates in said free.

detent-pallet. Astrong spring, K, bears against the top of the curved part J to force said detent-pallet into engagement with the wheel below. This dctent-pallet operates also, to some extent, as an impulse-pallet, since it presses against the inclined faces of the teeth that a re successively brought under it, so that it will turn the wheel I sufficiently far for the pallet after passing out from each tooth, to clear the point of the next tooth and bear against the lllt'llllG of the latter when again forced into engagement with said wheel.

The upper end of arm J sets into a hole or recess in the rear end of a tlat slide or gate, L, which is pivoted at its middle to the under side of the top of easing A, so that the inner end of said slide normally covers the ballothole a. When the verge J is rocked on its pivot so as to bring impulse-pallet j into engagement w.th wheel I it necessarily moves the said slide or gate on its pivot so as to uncover the ballot-hole (1.. Consequently, every time said hole is uncovered to drop a ballot there is a corresponding indication by the pointer on the dial. The spring K, by reversing the motion of the verge and slide, again covers the ballot-hole.

The registering and ballot-hole-uncovering motion of the verge is caused by alever, M, which protrudes through one side of the box, at the trout thereof. The outer end of said le ver is curved downward to receive a finger of the operator, and its inner end bears against the top of the rounded end of barJ A thumbpiece, N, fixed to the side of the casing A, affords an excellent purchase. When it is desired to loel; said lever and the registering mechanism I slide over the top of said lever a longitudinally-nioving locking pin or bolt, 0, which moves transversely to said lever. When this bolt is thrown forward it locks said lever; when thrown backward it leaves said lever A spring, I, which sets into a recessed part, 0, of said bolt, locks it in either position.

It designates a hinged cover of ballot-hole a, and is provided on its under side with self locking bolt R, having a beveled head and a spring, 1'. The under side of said bolt is provided. with a downwardly-extending pin, 0', whereby it may be retracted to allow the opening of said cover.

IVhen a certain number of ballots have been deposited the casing A may be unlocked, the bottom A removed, and the inner box taken out for counting. The cover R is then closed and thereby locked, and the lever M is also locked to prevent tampering with the registering apparatus until the inner box is restored to its former place, and the outer box or casing closed and locked again.

Screws may be substituted for the fasteninghoolcs which hold the dial-casing in place.

The verge and ratchet-wheel may be used for actuating machinery of any kind, and in this relation will probably form the subjectmatter of a separate application.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a registering ballot box, the pivoted verge J, provided with a horn, J, an arm, J", an impulse-pallet, and a detent-pallet, in combination with ballot-hole slide L, engaged by said horu,lever M, which operates on said arm, and ratchet-wheel I, which is advancel by said impulse-pallet, and also slightly advanced at each engagement of said detent-pallet, for the purpose set forth.

2. Dial-casing 0, provided with fasteninghooks, and lock 0, in combination with slotted partition A and recessed sliding bottom A, substantially as set forth.

3. In a ballot-box, the combination of a ratchet-wheel forming partof the registering mechanism, and an operating-lever with a verge actuated by said lever, and provided with two pallets, both of which bear on the inclined faces of said teeth, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a ballotbox, the combination of a ratchet-wheel forming part of the registering mechanism, and an operating-lever, with a verge havinga detcnt-palletwhich acts against the inclined faces of the teeth of said wheel, so as to operate tosome extent as an impulsepallet also, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS F. DODGE. Witnesses:

JUAN MGKEYES, F. H. BITELY. 

